The Mideast war hurts humanity and climate progress. We support Bernie Sanders’ resolutions.

We are a climate group laser focused on clean energy solutions to global warming. But we are also human beings whose hearts break over the seemingly endless war and suffering in the Middle East. The double tragedy of the current war is it diverts world attention and resources away from other vital issues like our collapsing climate.

We agree with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vr.) that Israel has the right to defend itself, especially after the horrifying Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. We also agree with Sen. Sanders that Israel must follow U.S. and international laws governing the use of weapons against innocent noncombatants. Sadly, as outlined in Sen. Sanders’ letter to his Senate colleagues, Israel is not following those standards.

Therefore, we support the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval that Senator Sanders announced at a press conference today, accompanied by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). It is our hope that the adoption of these resolutions can speed the end of this current war and all its suffering.

War is bad for people and the climate. Contact your U.S. Senators: Tell them to vote “yes” on resolutions to make sure American weapons used in the Gaza conflict meet U.S. and international humanitarian laws protecting innocent civilians.

If we want citizens in this country and the world to care about the facts of any international issue – from war to climate change – then our government must acknowledge facts and follow the law. By ignoring and therefore condoning Israel’s improper use of weapons in Gaza, the U.S. is not only aiding mass killing, it’s eroding the entire rules-based order of international law.

To be clear, first and foremost, this is a humanitarian tragedy with assistance from U.S. taxpayers. It must stop. Secondarily, if we ever want to lead again on any global issue, including climate change, we have to acknowledge vital truths and act in the best interest of all nations.

Contact your U.S. Senators: Tell them to vote “yes” on resolutions to make sure American weapons used in the Gaza conflict meet U.S. and international humanitarian laws protecting innocent civilians.

To reiterate, we are first and foremost a clean energy group with one overriding mission: To solve the climate crisis everywhere with clean energy for everyone.

But this is an intersectional world and from time to time it is important to speak out on issues of justice that impact all people and all issues. We are not alone. Climate groups like Sunrise and longtime leaders like the Rev. Lennox Yearwood are supporting this call to action — recognizing that all our struggles are connected. 

The Senate committee is expected to vote tomorrow on Sen. Sanders’ resolutions. As a diverse organization, with staff members who are Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and nonreligious, we hope you will contact your U.S. Senators today and urge them to vote “yes”.

Over 10,000 Climate Disaster Survivors and Their Allies Demand Federal Investigation of Big Oil for Climate Crimes  

Chesapeake Climate Action Network and Public Citizen delivered today a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) demanding that it hold oil and gas companies accountable for fueling climate-driven disasters such as floods, fires, hurricanes, and extreme heat that have destroyed property and taken innocent lives.

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A Lasting Legacy: Support CCAN’s 2025 Diana Dascalu-Joffe Legal Fellowship

Diana worked for CCAN from 2005 to 2015 as our extraordinary staff attorney and grants manager. She helped shepherd CCAN from a tiny staff of three – working in a backyard shed in Takoma Park – to the dynamic regional climate group we are today. This Fellowship honors her memory by helping law students in the region gain summer legal experience and follow in Diana’s footsteps as a fierce defender of the environment.

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Chesterfield Residents, Community, and Climate Groups Rally Amid Fresh Zoning Challenges to Dominion Gas Plant

Dozens of concerned citizens call for the Board to protect health and climate

CHESTERFIELD, VA – Today, dozens of concerned Chesterfield County residents rallied at the monthly Chesterfield Board of Supervisors meeting to protest against the tentative placement of Dominion Energy’s proposed gas power plant in their county. The boisterous gathering was organized in response to the Board of Zoning Appeals’ refusal to hear an appeal from the Friends of Chesterfield community group – which was joined at the rally by allies from the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Mothers Out Front, Chesterfield County Branch NAACP, and other local advocates. Protesters held up signs and chanted slogans opposing the new plant and other fossil fuel infrastructure projects that endanger public health and contribute to climate change.

Just hours before the rally, Friends of Chesterfield announced it had filed a fresh challenge with the county, attempting to call Dominion’s zoning into question. A day prior, the Southern Environmental Law Center also published a report that it had commissioned, which found that constructing an alternative renewable-based energy portfolio would cost ratepayers less than half the projected cost of CERC while providing the same annual energy and peak capacity – addressing reliability concerns.

As the rally gathered momentum, speakers addressed the crowd outside of the building before entering to address the Board meeting with public comments including the following:

Statement from Melissa Thomas, Mothers Out Front: 

“Residents of Chesterfield County, who have for decades endured the harmful consequences of pollution from fossil fuel combustion in their community, are pleading with their locally elected representatives to exercise the authority entrusted to them. Their request is straightforward: Please grant us the opportunity to voice our concerns in a public hearing.”

Statement from Glen Besa, Friends of Chesterfield: 

“Why is the Board of Supervisors refusing to hold a hearing on Dominion Energy’s massive methane gas power plant that would be the county’s largest source of air pollution? That is a question that every resident of Chesterfield should be asking Chairman Holland and all the county supervisors.” 

Statement from Rachel James, Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), speaking on behalf of her client: 

“The Chesterfield Branch of the NAACP is committed to elevating the voices of underrepresented groups to ensure their inputs inform each stage of the decision-making processes associated with Dominion’s proposed gas plant. The challenge here is that instead of stepping up to take advantage of the opportunity for local input into the air permit evaluation, the Board of Supervisors is stepping back. The Board is deferring to the Department of Environmental Quality to make a determination that the law recognizes local governing bodies, informed by their constituents, are equipped to make. Holding a public hearing on the issue of site suitability is completely within the Board’s authority to do. Refusing to hold a hearing is unacceptable. That’s why we’re here.”

Statement from Mason Manley, Central Virginia Organizer for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN):

“For more than a year now, Chesterfield residents have expressed their discontent at the lack of meaningful public participation in county approval processes for the so-called Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center. Now, the voices of Chesterfield residents could not be clearer: telling the Board to hold a vote on the matter of Site Suitability and Value and vote ‘No.’” 

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The Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the oldest and largest grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with climate change in the Chesapeake Bay region. For more than 20 years, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and beyond.

 

Homelessness: The Next Climate Emergency?

I used to think I’d always stay housed. I’m sure many of you reading this feel that way right now. But as the world changes faster and faster, becoming less hospitable, this will increasingly become an issue not just in your backyard, but for you or someone you care about.

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